Audio

ISE 2018 hosts a number of products from décor-friendly audio manufacturer James Loudspeaker, including LR-S 2.1 soundbars, the 42SA-4 in-ceiling/in-wall speaker and new Omni Planter speaker systems.

The LR-S 2.1 soundbars produce left- and right-channel audio, as well as bass from a centre-mounted built-in subwoofer. The soundbars are customisable to fit nearly any flat-panel display, and while originally designed for commercial applications they have been adopted for residential applications demanding audio without need for surround sound.

Currently available in the SPL5, SPL6 and SPL8 series soundbars, the LR-S versions offer high output and bass extension below 60Hz from nearly any size form factor. The 2.1 configuration makes the soundbars ideal for matching with the A2.1 three-channel amplifier, which features onboard crossovers and independent controls for easy calibration.

Director D-Series amplifiers leverage technology from the Director M-Series amplifiers to provide DSP and onboard digital profiles. It offers two models, the 16-channel D4600 and 8-channel 2U D2800, both able to product 100W/8 Ohms, 200W/4 Ohms per channel. Installers can tailor the sound based on DSP profiles of leading speaker brands as part of the Sound Partners Program (SPP), before fine-tuning further by individual zones based on acoustic environments.

The DSP engine comes complete with graphic and parametric equalisation by zone, network monitoring and programming. Channels are bridgeable for further configuration flexibility in system setup.

Legrand presents the Nuvo P600 Player-- the first model in the Player Portfolio whole home audio line designed for the DIN rail mounting system commonly found in Europe and the rest of EMEA.

Compatible with other amplifiers in the Legrand Nuvo ecosystem, the P600 supplies up to 40W of power to a single zone via built-in Class D digital amplifier. The system supports as many as 16 players and 16 simultaneous, independent streams, and the P600 gives any room access to music from networked collections or a variety of internet and radio streaming services, including Spotify, Napster and Deezer. Control comes via Nuvo Player Portfolio app or Nuvo in-wall keypads.

James Loudspeaker launches the LR-S format series of 2.1 soundbars, producing left and right channel audio as well as bass energy from a centre-mounted built-in subwoofer.

The soundbars are customisable to match nearly any flat-panel display, and are ideal for bringing clarity and full-range sound to applications where an external subwoofer is impractical. The company initially engineered the LR-S soundbar solution to cater for commercial applications such as lobbies, showrooms and nightclubs, but the residential market has also adopted the format for bedrooms and other zones where surround sound is not required.

The Bryston Active Loudspeaker system leverages decades of research into acoustics and audio component design, and promise to recreate each recording with realism. Each system is optimised using an anechoic chamber, generating over 300 measurements residing within the system's software.

At the heart of each speaker is the BAX-1 crossover-- a digital crossover containing proprietary software for each model. It receives a full-range analog audio signal from the preamp, and performs 3-way crossover functionality and driver correction for each channel. It also applies any user-selected filters for tailing bass response, before sending the signal to each amplifier channel.

Judging from a Statista chart smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo are becoming increasingly popular, at least in the US-- 39 million Americans own such a device, and more people use them to access news, information and music.

The chart is based on a November 2017 survey of 806 smart speaker owners conducted by NPR and Edison Research. It shows around 66% of smart speakers owners do not want to go back to life without the "little helper," while 39% are spending less time using the radio. This is perhaps not surprising, since listening to music (in many cases online radio) is one of the most commonly used features of the devices.

PMC takes on home cinema at ISE 2018-- a partnership with Stewart Filmscreen has it present premium product lines aimed at the high-end home theatres and custom install markets.

Hiding behind a Stewart Filmscreen acoustically transparent borderless screen are wafer2 series speakers promising the "ultimate in audio transparency for home theatre." Also showcased are the BB6 and QB1 large scale active speakers with active DSP control. PMC says many major Hollywood studios and film composers use these speakers as they score blockbuster films, and in home theatres they provide customers with movies sounding exactly how the director intended.

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